North Coast 500

[CitroJim]

The fish slice for a start.

Shuto Aquarius

[KennyW]

I've voted maybe as we trying to sell the house and organise our French house as well. If the nights stops can be identified, I'll come to up and stay a couple of nights and return to where ever we are. I'll even bring my velo for a cycle.

Jim,

There lots of lovely sea lochs on the route to swim in, Loch Broom at Ullapool is about 500 feet deep heading towards the summer isles (fantastic boat trip around the isles) so plenty water for you !!!!!!!!!

Kenny

[CitroJim]

Gentlemen, for reasons I am not going to elaborate upon, I am now unable to partake in this epic adventure

[daviemck2006]

Thats a shame Jim, but if you cant do it, then you cant do it. It would have been a whole years mileage to you for a week lol

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[CitroJim]

Thats a shame Jim, but if you cant do it, then you cant do it. It would have been a whole years mileage to you for a week lolk

Two years more like

[white exec]

Our proposed route for North Coast 500 run

After a good bit of discussion with Davie, we have put together a route for our driving tour of north Scotland. Davie has volunteered himself to do an Advance Reccy, and to investigate B&B and affordable accommodation for our overnight stops. Exact details of the route could be tweaked, as needed. Mileages are approximate.

The route starts in Fort William on Sunday 3 September, and finishes in Inverness on Saturday 9.

On the way to Fort William, if you come up the A82 (from either the Stirling or Loch Lomond directions), you have the delightful option of crossing Rannoch Moor (careful, now!)...


and down through the hauntingly atmospheric Glencoe...


...and across the Ballachulish bridge over Loch Leven, before arriving in Fort William



Day 1 Sun 3 Sep
Meet up in Fort William, and overnight there.
Just 30mins' (17 mi) drive west of Fort William is Glenfinnan - famous viaduct, monument and loch. Optional jaunt there.




Day 2 Mon 4 Sep
Fort William to Applecross (100 mi)



with a visit to Aanoch Mor/Ben Nevis just outside Fort William (gondola cablecar)...


and a fabulous day's drive towards Applecross and over the Bealach na Ba (Pass of the Cattle)...




Day 3 Tue 5 Sep
Applecross to Ullapool (119 mi)



Highlights of this day include the run the Applecross 'new' northern coastal road (which replaced the original postal motorcycle tack) and though some once-deserted villages to...

Shieldaig village...


Glen Docherty, and the view down to Loch Maree...


Poolewe...


and onwards along the Atlantic coast via Laide, and the roadside Corrieshalloch Gorge (waterfalls), to the fishing and ferry town of Ullapool.


Day 4 Wed 6 Sep
Ullapool to Durness and the north coast (105 mi)



A swing inland first, then back out to the west coast at Lochinver...




and to the peninsula tip for The Old Man of Stoer...


Up through mountainous Sutherland, skirting the Summer Isles area...


and towards the very north coast at Durness.


Day 5 Thu 7 Sep
Durness to Thurso (70 mi)



Durness, and the Smoo Cave...


and Balnakeil Bay and old Radar Station (now craft village)...


... and along the topmost north coast to Tongue, Dounreay, and on to Thurso.


Day 6 Fri 8 Sep
Thurso to Helmsdale (75 mi)



taking in John O'Groats and Dunscansby Head...


and Helmsdale...



Day 7 Sat 9 Sep
Helmsdale to Inverness (78 mi)



At Dornoch, a swing west along the old A9 route, and via Bonar Bridge and the Millionaire's View...


At Inverness, our road tour ends, with options to head off south down the A9, or take a look at Loch Ness...


-----------------------


Can we tempt you? Just sign up using the Poll above.

Davie & Chris

[CitroJim]

Wow! What a trip

I'm sad that I had to cancel but now I've seen the itinerary I know for sure it's several orders of magnitude beyond my mental and physical ability to participate and enjoy it...

Still, as consolation, I have those wonderful picture to look at, imagine I'm there and dream of riding my bike around some of the vistas...

Thanks for posting them Chris, they are truly beautiful and inspiring

[daviemck2006]

I'm sitting in the car just now in Aberdeen. One or two tweaks to the route. On day 3 the official NC 500 route goes north up the coast fro Applecross then turns south rest to Sheildaig then follows the route Chris has to Ullapool. We can do either option.

On day 4 heading north from Ullapool the route goes west into the fishing village of Lochinver. Then it needs north from there around the point of Stoer. This is a must see road, having been around there it is spectacular. This is not a caravan friendly road. It is challenging and you have to drive! No cruise control here lol.

Thursday morning will be out to cape wrath, the boat and minibus trip lasts 3 hours in total.

Then on day 7 I would suggest from Dornoch head west to Bonar Bridge on the old A9 then cut south over the Struie hill, stopping and taking in the millionaires view. It is worth seeing. I thought I had a pic of it but can't find it. Mr Google will find it easy enough!

I have word in about my hospital procedure which got posponed a few weeks ago, it's now on the 25th May, so I shall do a reconnaissance trip early June. I'll likely to that in only 2 days it's more to check travelling times/campsites/hostels/b&b and pick up leaflets in the tourist information offices. Let's get some more folk coming, Chris and I are doing it even if it's just the 2 of us. However it would be great to get 5 or 6 or even more. It doesn't have to be a Citroen or an old car or even French! The cars are immaterial almost it's a trip for good scenery, good company and good friendship and fun.

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[Stickyfinger]

Why not tell the Citroen Car Club about it ?

[CitroJim]

Why not tell the Citroen Car Club about it ?

Now that's a good idea

And perhaps the BX Club lads and lasses too

Can all be done on Facebook...

[white exec]

I'll float it across to Club-XM as well.

Davie,
Your route modifications sound like good ones. I'll give it a couple of days (in case there are any more tweaks) and then alter the map-itinerary above to include them.

Jim,
Thanks for the kind words.

[elma]

I'm still half in, really I can't say until prity much a week or two prior weather I can come for definite or not. It totally depends on finances and on whats happening at work at the time. With all the recent Vets bills I'm not that optimistic but I'm not out yet and will do my utmost to make it.

[Stickyfinger]

Like wise, I am still "In" but that is subject to some arrangements being made regarding my Mother so I cannot commit 100% at the moment.

[daviemck2006]

If anyone from down south wanted to do it and was struggling with finances for fuel money really you can get an easy Jet for very cheap to Inverness where i could pick you up on my way to Fort William. I can only carry 3 though, the 407 is a strict 4 seater, and the 205, although it is nominally a 5 seater irs not big enough for 5 adults and luggage.

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[daviemck2006]

https://goo.gl/images/Z4X7iG
The millionaires view.

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